I've become adicted... to the program Mathematica. We use it all the time at SFSU, and it is an awesome program. But... when I went to go buy it... a single user copy of the software is, at cheapest, 1900 dollars! That costs more than my whole computer setup!
So, my question is this... are there any alternatives to Mathematica? Free is good...
Mathematica alternative?
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Slater - Posts: 2671
- Joined: Sat May 22, 2004 10:00 am
- Location: Pacifica, Caliphornia
Slater wrote:I've become adicted... to the program Mathematica. We use it all the time at SFSU, and it is an awesome program. But... when I went to go buy it... a single user copy of the software is, at cheapest, 1900 dollars! That costs more than my whole computer setup!
So, my question is this... are there any alternatives to Mathematica? Free is good...
Wow... if Bill Gates charged like that, he probably would have been executed by now...
On Amazon, looking up Mathematica, I see they list alternative recommendations. No idea if they come anywhere close to what you need though
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Arnobius - Posts: 2870
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:41 pm
You should look into the possibility of purchasing a student edition, which will be priced considerably lower.
Alternative software will depend on your exact needs. If all of your assignments need to be done in Mathematica, then you're pretty much screwed. However, if you need symbolic processing, then Maple should do quite well
http://www.maplesoft.com/
This package is used at my own school, and the student version retails for around $100 Canadian. MATHCAD also uses Maple, but is set up rather differently
http://www.mathsoft.com/
Another possibility is to use MATLAB, which is fairly limited as far as symbolic computing goes, but is very strong in numerical and vector/matrix mathematics. Again, a student version is available and is quite affordable. I use MATLAB a lot in my own research as well as my courses; I highly recommend it for anyone doing electrical engineering or numerical computing.
http://www.mathworks.com/
Alternative software will depend on your exact needs. If all of your assignments need to be done in Mathematica, then you're pretty much screwed. However, if you need symbolic processing, then Maple should do quite well
http://www.maplesoft.com/
This package is used at my own school, and the student version retails for around $100 Canadian. MATHCAD also uses Maple, but is set up rather differently
http://www.mathsoft.com/
Another possibility is to use MATLAB, which is fairly limited as far as symbolic computing goes, but is very strong in numerical and vector/matrix mathematics. Again, a student version is available and is quite affordable. I use MATLAB a lot in my own research as well as my courses; I highly recommend it for anyone doing electrical engineering or numerical computing.
http://www.mathworks.com/
The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry—is not even a "subject"—but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.
Neil Postman
(The End of Education)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge
Isaac Aasimov
Neil Postman
(The End of Education)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge
Isaac Aasimov
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Technomancer - Posts: 2379
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:47 am
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Technomancer wrote:This package is used at my own school, and the student version retails for around $100 Canadian.
That's what, 37 cents american?
*ducks*
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http://www.flactem.com/
My Final Fantasy VII Walkthrough (FF7 Walkthrough)
My Final Fantasy VIII Walkthrough (FF8 Walkthrough)
My Final Fantasy IX Walkthrough (FF9 Walkthrough)
My Final Fantasy X Walkthrough (FFX Walkthrough)
Join MOES today - Plant a SIG for your tomorrow!
Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/caamithrandir
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Mithrandir - Posts: 11071
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Mithrandir wrote:That's what, 37 cents american?
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The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry—is not even a "subject"—but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.
Neil Postman
(The End of Education)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge
Isaac Aasimov
Neil Postman
(The End of Education)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge
Isaac Aasimov
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Technomancer - Posts: 2379
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:47 am
- Location: Tralfamadore
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